Management of Backhaul Nodes in a Microwave Backhaul

ABSTRACT

A communications network is disclosed that includes one or more microwave backhaul nodes for routing communications between one or more near end mobile communications devices and one or more far end mobile communications devices. The communications network includes a central monitoring and control infrastructure, a remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/or a local monitoring and control infrastructure. The central monitoring and control infrastructure, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure can directly manage the one or more microwave backhaul nodes. Alternatively, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure can indirectly manage the one or more microwave backhaul nodes through the central monitoring and control infrastructure.

BACKGROUND Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to microwave backhauls andspecifically management of microwave backhauls.

Related Art

A conventional communications network includes a conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul to allow for communication of information, suchas audio, video, or data to provide some examples, between one or morenear end mobile communications devices and one or more far end mobilecommunications devices. The conventional microwave line-of-sightbackhaul represents an interconnected network of microwave relays and/ormicrowave switches, which allows for communication between the near endmobile communications devices and the far end mobile communicationsdevices using various microwave pathways. The conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul includes one or more conventional backhaul nodesto route communications between the near end mobile communicationsdevices and the far end mobile communications devices.

The conventional backhaul nodes are conventionally mounted on verylarge, stable ground-based masts, rooftops, and other existingstructures, at vast distances apart at a height that provides a clearview over the surrounding buildings and terrain to faun a macrocell.These vast distances require narrow beams of various antenna elements ofthe conventional backhaul nodes to be aimed very accurately, within theline-of-sight of one another, to meet network demands, such as qualityof service (QoS) to provide an example. Aiming of the various antennaelements of the conventional backhaul nodes is entirely a mechanicalprocess whereby an installer simply adjusts a direction, such azimuth,altitude, pitch, roll, and/or yaw to provide some examples, of thevarious antenna elements until reaching maximum signal strength.Additionally, the conventional backhaul nodes conventionally operate athigh power levels, typically high powered, narrow beams, to allow fortheir communications to traverse the vast distances between them.

However, environmental factors, such as wind to provide an example, cancause movement, such as jitter or vibration, of the conventionalbackhaul nodes as well as their associated high power, narrow beams.These environmental factors, as well as other environmental factors,such obstructions from buildings and terrain, for example, treebranches, can cause signal strengths of the conventional backhaul nodesto fluctuate, thereby making aiming of these high powered, narrow beamsrather difficult. Additionally, these environmental factors can causeredirection of the high power, narrow beams of the antennas even afterbeing properly aimed. In these situations, the high power levels of theconventional backhaul nodes are further increased to compensate forthese environmental factors to maintain the network demands. Theredirection of the high power, narrow beams in this manner can causehigh powered microwave radiation to be directed directly at populatedareas.

Additionally, loss of one or more conventional backhaul nodes can bedevastating for the conventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul. Forexample, one or more conventional backhaul nodes can become inoperativeas a result of the environmental factors. As a result, the conventionalmicrowave line-of-sight backhaul can no longer be able to meet thenetwork demands when one or more of the conventional backhaul nodesbecome inoperative due to the relatively limited number of theconventional backhaul nodes within the conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

Embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left mostdigit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which thereference number first appears.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul;

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a microwave backhaul according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a microwave backhaul according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates various exemplary block diagrams of various microwavebackhaul nodes that can be used in the microwave backhaul according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure for managing microwave backhaul nodes accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure for managing microwave backhaul nodes accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary block diagram of a microwavebackhaul node that can be used in the microwave backhaul according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicateidentical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by theleftmost digit(s) in the reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following Detailed Description refers to accompanying drawings toillustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with the disclosure.References in the Detailed Description to “one exemplary embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” “an example exemplary embodiment,” etc.,indicate that the exemplary embodiment described can include aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every exemplaryembodiment can not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anexemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in therelevant art(s) to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic inconnection with other exemplary embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrativepurposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments arepossible, and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the DetailedDescription is not meant to limit the disclosure. Rather, the scope ofthe disclosure is defined only in accordance with the following claimsand their equivalents.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the disclosure canalso be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium,which can be read and executed by one or more processors. Amachine-readable medium can include any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputing device). For example, a machine-readable medium can includeread only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic diskstorage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical,optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrierwaves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and others. Further,firmware, software, routines, instructions can be described herein asperforming certain actions. However, it should be appreciated that suchdescriptions are merely for convenience and that such actions in factresult from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devicesexecuting the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc.

The following Detailed Description of the exemplary embodiments will sofully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, byapplying knowledge of those skilled in relevant art(s), readily modifyand/or adapt for various applications such exemplary embodiments,without undue experimentation, without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modificationsare intended to be within the meaning and plurality of equivalents ofthe exemplary embodiments based upon the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of theteachings herein.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “module” shall be understoodto include at least one of software, firmware, and hardware (such as oneor more circuits, microchips, or devices, or any combination thereof),and any combination thereof. In addition, it will be understood thateach module can include one, or more than one, component within anactual device, and each component that forms a part of the describedmodule can function either cooperatively or independently of any othercomponent forming a part of the module. Conversely, multiple modulesdescribed herein can represent a single component within an actualdevice. Further, components within a module can be in a single device ordistributed among multiple devices in a wired or wireless manner.

Conventional Microwave Line-of-Sight Backhaul Pathway

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul. A conventional communications network 100includes a conventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102 to allowfor communication of information, such as audio, video, or data toprovide some examples, between one or more near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and one or more far end mobile communicationsdevices 106.

The near end mobile communications devices 104 and the far end mobilecommunications devices 106 can represent one or more mobile telephonydevices, such as one or more mobile phones, one or more mobile computingdevices, one or more mobile internet devices, one or more personaldigital assistants, one or more handheld game consoles, one or moreportable media players, one or more digital still cameras, one or moredigital video cameras, one or more pagers, one or more personalnavigation devices, one or more tablet computers, and/or any othersuitable communications device that is capable of wireless communicationwithin the conventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102. As shownin FIG. 1, the near end mobile communications devices 104 and the farend mobile communications devices 106 wirelessly exchange theinformation using the microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102. Although notshown in FIG. 1, the conventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102can be communicative coupled to various other conventional backhauls,such as a fiber optic backhaul or a cable backhaul to provide someexamples.

The conventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102 represents aninterconnected network of microwave relays and/or microwave switches,which allows for communication between the near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and the far end mobile communications devices106 using various microwave pathways 150.1 through 150.k. Theconventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102 includes one or moreconventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i to route communicationsbetween the near end mobile communications devices 104 and the far endmobile communications devices 106. Typically, one or more of theconventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i, such as theconventional backhaul node 108.1 to provide an example, can include aconventional outdoor unit (ODU) to communicate with a conventionalindoor unit (IDU) that is in communications with the near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and/or the far end mobile communicationsdevices 106. The conventional IDU can additionally function as acommunications bridge to pass communications from the near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and/or the far end mobile communicationsdevices 106 to their respective ODUs.

One of the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i is furtherillustrated in an exploded view 110. As shown in the exploded view 110,the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i conventionallyincludes various antenna elements 112 that are mounted onto a fixed,highly stable location 114. The fixed, highly stable location 114represents any very large, stable ground-based mast, rooftop, and otherexisting structure. Conventionally, the various antenna elements 112from one conventional backhaul node 108.1 through 108.i are at vastdistances apart from various antenna elements 112 of anotherconventional backhaul node 108.1 through 108.i at a height that providesa clear view over the surrounding buildings and terrain to form amacrocell. These vast distances require narrow beams of the variousantenna elements 112 of the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through108.i to be aimed very accurately, within the line-of-sight of oneanother, to meet network demands, such as quality of service (QoS) toprovide an example. Aiming of the various antenna elements 112 of theconventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i is entirely a mechanicalprocess whereby an installer simply adjusts a direction, such azimuth,altitude, pitch, roll, and/or yaw to provide some examples, of thevarious antenna elements until reaching maximum signal strength.Additionally, the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.iconventionally operate at high power levels, typically high powered,narrow beams, to allow for their communications to traverse the vastdistances between them.

However, environmental factors, such as wind to provide an example, cancause movement, such as jitter or vibration, of the conventionalbackhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i as well as their associated highpower, narrow beams. These environmental factors, as well as otherenvironmental factors, such obstructions from buildings and terrain, forexample, tree branches, can cause signal strengths of the conventionalbackhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i to fluctuate, thereby making aimingof these high powered, narrow beams rather difficult. Additionally,these environmental factors can cause redirection of the high power,nano beams of the antennas even after being properly aimed. In thesesituations, the high power levels of the conventional backhaul nodes108.1 through 108.i are further increased to compensate for theseenvironmental factors to maintain the network demands. The redirectionof the high power, narrow beams in this manner can cause high poweredmicrowave radiation to be directed directly at populated areas. Forexample, these environmental factors can cause the various antennaelements 112 of the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i tosag over time which requires these various antenna elements 112 to bemanually re-aimed on site.

Additionally, loss of one or more conventional backhaul nodes 108.1through 108.i can be devastating for the conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul 102. As a result, the conventional microwaveline-of-sight backhaul 102 can no longer be able to meet the networkdemands when one or more of the conventional backhaul nodes 108.1through 108.i become inoperative due to the relatively limited number ofthe conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i within theconventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102. For example, one ormore conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i can becomeinoperative as a result of the environmental factors. As anotherexample, failure of certain components, such as the various antennaelements 112 and their associated electronics to provide some examples,of one or more conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i causethese conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i to becomeinoperative. In each of these examples, the conventional backhaul nodes108.1 through 108.i remain inoperative until on site repairs arecomplete. In some situations, the communications can be re-routed tobypass these inoperative conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.iby reconfiguring the various microwave pathways 150.1 through 150.kwhich can slow down of communications within the conventionalcommunications network 100. However, in other situations, the variousmicrowave pathways 150.1 through 150.k must pass through theseinoperative conventional backhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i which cancompletely stop communications within the conventional communicationsnetwork 100 until on site repairs are complete.

Advancement in Backhaul Nodes

Recent advancements in microwave backhaul nodes have dramaticallyaltered complexity of conventional microwave backhauls, such as theconventional microwave line-of-sight backhaul 102 to provide an example.A first advancement is the use of a phased array feeder (PAF) forcommunications among the microwave backhaul nodes as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/435,604, filed Mar. 30, 2012, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Unlike various antennaelements of the conventional microwave backhauls, the PAF isconfigurable to be dynamically aimed. The PAF represents areconfigurable array of element antennas that is configurable to receiveenergy in a desired direction and to suppress energy in an undesireddirection. The reconfigurable array is configurable to provide variousmicrowave pathways to various microwave backhaul nodes. For example, thereconfigurable array can be configurable to provide a microwave pathwayfor communications to one microwave backhaul node, commonly referred toas point-to-point.

As another example, the reconfigurable array can be configurable toprovide more than one microwave pathway for communications to more thanone microwave backhaul node, commonly referred to aspoint-to-multipoint. In this other example, the reconfigurable array canbe physically or logically, in time and/or frequency, separated toprovide these microwave pathways. For example, this logical timeseparation can include one or more configurations, such as fromfull-duplex PAF to a first microwave backhaul node for approximatelyfifty percent of the time to a half-duplex PAF to a second microwavebackhaul node for approximately twenty-five percent of the time to ahalf-duplex PAF to a third microwave backhaul node for approximatelytwenty-five percent of the time.

Second, this configurability of the PAF allows the microwave backhaulnodes to be mounted on flimsy, less stable locations such as lightpoles, traffic signs, telephone pole, and/or sides of short buildings toprovide some examples. This ability to mount the microwave backhaulnodes on less stable structures allows microwave backhaul nodes to beplaced at closer distances when compared to the conventional backhaulnodes, to form microcells. As a result of this increased density, themicrowave backhaul nodes can operate at lower power levels and/or lowermounting heights when compared to the conventional backhaul nodes.

Additionally, this configurability of the PAF allows the microwavebackhaul nodes to operate in environmental conditions while meetingnetwork demands that would otherwise affect the conventional backhaulnodes. For example, when a microwave backhaul node fails or becomesinoperative, a replacement microwave backhaul node can be mounted ontoany nearby structure with re-aiming of PAFs of its destination microwavebackhaul node being a part of the process. Further, this configurabilityof the PAF allows various functions of the microwave backhaul node to becontrolled centrally, such as allowing for installation, supportingbreakdown, or supporting heavy loading for dynamic rerouting throughother PAF pathways to provide some examples. This central controlling ofthe microwave backhaul node allows communications with this microwavebackhaul node as well as other microwave backhaul nodes within themicrowave backhaul to be dynamically re-routed in real time. Thisdynamic re-routing of communications within the microwave backhaul canbe in response to network demands and/or environmental conditions.

Further, these closer distances between the microwave backhaul nodespermit merger of different radio access technologies, such as Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 family ofwireless-networks standards, commonly referred to as WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a 3GPP Long TermEvolution (LTE) communications standard, or a Wi-Fi communicationsstandard to provide some examples, into the microwave backhaul nodes andcan include bridging and switching related thereto. The centralcontrolling of the microwave backhaul node can also be used to centrallycontrol the bridging and switching of, these different radio accesstechnologies. A failure or malfunction at the microwave backhaul nodedue to these different radio access technologies can be centrallymonitored and/or managed.

Third, the IDU has been integrated with the ODU within the microwavebackhaul nodes as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.:(Attorney Docket No.: 2875.9630001), which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. The integration of the IDU and the ODU reduces asize of the microwave backhaul nodes when compared to the conventionalbackhaul nodes. This reduction in the size of the microwave backhaulnodes allows these microwave backhaul nodes to be mounted on the flimsy,less stable locations when compared to the conventional backhaul nodesthat are mounted on very large, stable structures.

Backhaul Pathways that use These Advances in Backhaul Nodes

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a microwave backhaul according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A communicationsnetwork 120 provides allows for communication of information, such asaudio, video, or data to provide some examples, between the one or morenear end mobile communications devices 104 and the one or more far endmobile communications devices 106. The communications network 120includes microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k for routing ofcommunications between the one or more near end mobile communicationsdevices 104 and the one or more far end mobile communications devices106.

Each of the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k include amicrowave backhaul node 128 mounted onto a flimsy, less stable locationsuch as a light pole 130 to provide an example. The microwave backhaulnode 128 includes one or more dynamically configurable PAFs for routingcommunications among the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.kand bridges and switches for supporting communications between mobilecommunications devices and the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through122.k.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.kcan operate in the environmental conditions. In sonic situations, theseenvironmental conditions can cause a failure or a malfunction of one ofthe microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k, such as the microwavebackhaul node 122.k to provide an example. In this situation, a centralmanagement module 124 can dynamically reconfigure the communicationsnetwork 120 to bypass the failed or malfunctioning microwave backhaulnode. For example, communications between the microwave backhaul node122.1 and the microwave backhaul node 122.k can he re-routed to themicrowave backhaul node 122.m by the central management module 124.

In other situations, the microwave backhaul node 122.m can represent anewly installed microwave backhaul node within the communicationsnetwork 120 that is dynamically configured to route communicationsbetween the one or more far end mobile communications devices 106 andthe microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k. The central managementmodule 124 can provide various services to the communications network120 for assisting an installer in aiming the one or more dynamicallyconfigurable PAFs of the microwave backhaul node 122.m toward otherdynamically configurable PAFs of other microwave backhaul nodes 122.1through 122.k. This assistance can include aiming at least a firstportion of one of the dynamically configurable PAFs of the microwavebackhaul node 122.m toward a second portion of another dynamicallyconfigurable PAF of another microwave backhaul node 122.1 through 122.k.

For example, the central management module 124 can gather locationinformation for the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k. Thislocation information can include orientation, compass coordinates suchas longitude and/or latitude, azimuth, altitude, pitch, roll, yaw,and/or any other location information of the microwave backhaul node122.1 through 122.k. The installer of the microwave backhaul node 122.mcan retrieve the location information from other microwave backhaulnodes 122.1 through 122.k themselves and/or from the central managementmodule 124 and use this location information to aim the PAFs of themicrowave backhaul node 122.m toward these other microwave backhaulnodes.

As another example, the central management module 124 can gather statusinformation for the microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through 122.k. Thisstatus information can include loading of various microwave pathwaysbetween the microwave backhaul nodes 122A through 122.k, type of data tobe communicated by the various microwave pathways, QoS of the variousmicrowave pathways, power levels for the various microwave pathways,and/or data rates for the various microwave pathways to provide someexamples. The installer of the microwave backhaul node 122.m canretrieve the location information from other microwave backhaul nodes122.1 through 122.k and use this location information to aim the PAFs ofthe microwave backhaul node 122.m toward these other microwave backhaulnodes. The installer of the microwave backhaul node 122.m can retrievethe status information from other microwave backhaul nodes 122.1 through122.k themselves and/or from the central management module 124 and usethis location information to aim the PAFs of the microwave backhaul node122.m toward these other microwave backhaul nodes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a microwave backhaul according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A communicationsnetwork 200 includes a microwave backhaul 202 to allow for communicationof information, such as audio, video, or data to provide some examples,between the one or more near end mobile communications devices 104 andthe one or more far end mobile communications devices 106. Thecommunications network 200 can represent an exemplary embodiment of thecommunications network 120.

As shown in FIG. 2, the microwave backhaul 202 represents aninterconnected network of microwave relays and/or microwave switcheswhich allows for communication between the near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and the far end mobile communications devices106. The microwave backhaul 202 includes one or more microwave backhaulnodes 204.1 through 204.m to route communications between the near endmobile communications devices 104 and the far end mobile communicationsdevices 106. The microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m representa dynamically configurable switch fabric that can route communicationsthrough various microwave pathways 250.1 through 250.n of the microwavebackhaul 202. Communications through the microwave backhaul 202 cantraverse from one of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m toother microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m via one of themicrowave pathways 250.1 through 250.m, commonly referred to aspoint-to-point. Each of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.ncan represent an exemplary embodiment of one of the microwave backhaulnodes 123.1 through 122.k.

Also, communications through the microwave backhaul 202 can diverge fromone of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m through morethan one of the microwave pathways 250.1 through 250.n to othermicrowave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m, commonly referred to aspoint-to-multipoint. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, communicationsfrom the backhaul node 204.1 diverge to the backhaul node 204.2 via themicrowave pathway 250.1 and the backhaul node 204.3 via the microwavepathway 250.2.

Additionally, communications through the microwave backhaul 202 canconverge from multiple microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m toone of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m, commonlyreferred to as multipoint-to-point. As another example, as shown in FIG.2, communications through the microwave backhaul 202 converge to thebackhaul node 204.1 via the microwave pathways 250.(n-1) and 250.n.

The microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m can include acommunications bridge to pass communications from other communicationsbackhauls, such as a fiber-optic backhaul and/or a cable backhaul toprovide some examples. Also, the communications bridge can pass localcommunications, such as those provided by the near end mobilecommunications devices 104 and/or the far end mobile communicationsdevices 106 to provide some examples, to the microwave backhaul 202. Forexample, the near end mobile communications devices 104 and/or the farend mobile communications devices 106 can be operating in accordanceWiMAX. In this example, the communications bridge processes these WiMAXcommunications for routing through the microwave backhaul 202.

As another example, the near end mobile communications devices 104and/or the far end mobile communications devices 106 within a macrocell,a microcell, a picocell, and/or a femtocell can be operating inaccordance the LTE communications standard. In this other example, thecommunications bridge processes these LTE communications from the nearend mobile communications devices 104 and/or the far end mobilecommunications devices 106 themselves and/or via one or more basestations or access points within the macrocell, the microcell, thepicocell, and/or the femtocell for routing through the microwavebackhaul 202.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the microwave backhaul 202 can be, optionally,communicatively coupled to other communication network backhauls and/oraccess infrastructure 206. The other communication network backhaulsand/or access infrastructure 206 represents other network backhauls thatcan include other microwave backhauls, fiber-optic backhauls and/orcable backhauls to provide some examples. For example, the microwavebackhaul 202 can represent a backhaul provided by a first serviceprovider while the other communication network backhauls and/or accessinfrastructure 206 can represent a different backhaul provided by asecond service provider. Additionally, the other communication networkbackhauls and/or access infrastructure 206 can accommodate differentcommunication protocols than that being presently utilized by themicrowave backhaul 202.

Direct Management of Backhaul Nodes

The other communication network backhauls and/or access infrastructure206 can be communicatively coupled to a central monitoring and controlinfrastructure 208 and/or to a remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 210. The central monitoring and control infrastructure208 represents a server infrastructure, such as a single server ormultiple servers, that directly monitors and/or controls the microwavebackhaul 202. The central monitoring and control infrastructure 208 canmonitor the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m and dynamicallyconfigure routing of communications throughout the microwave backhaulnodes 204.1 through 204.m to meet network demands. For example, thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure 208 can dynamicallyconfigure the various microwave pathways 250.1 through 250.n of themicrowave backhaul 202 to route communications throughout the microwavebackhaul 202.

The remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210 can also directlymanage the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m and dynamicallyconfigure routing of communications throughout the microwave backhaulnodes 204.1 through 204.m. Management can include assisting with theprocess of aiming at least a first portion of a first phased arrayfeeder (PAF) of one of the backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m toward asecond portion of a second PAF of another of the backhaul node 204.1through 204.m as well as establishing location information and statusinformation for each of the backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m.Additionally, the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m can bemonitored and/or managed via a local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 212. The remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 can directlymanage the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m. Although thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure 208, the remote monitoringand control infrastructure 210, and the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 212 are illustrated as wirelessly communicating with themicrowave backhaul 202 and/or the other communication network backhaulsand/or access infrastructure 206, those skilled in the relevant art(s)will recognize that the central monitoring and control infrastructure208, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210, and the localmonitoring and control infrastructure 212 can also use various wiredcommunications without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

Indirect Management of Backhaul Nodes

Alternatively, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 canindirectly manage the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m bysending requests via the other communication network backhauls and/oraccess infrastructure 206 and the microwave backhaul 202, respectively,to the central monitoring and control infrastructure 208. In thisalternate, the central monitoring and control infrastructure 208dynamically configures the routing of the communications throughout themicrowave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m in response to theserequests.

Typically, in this alternate, the remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 210 and/or the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 212 accesses the central monitoring and controlinfrastructure 208 using on access point, such as a Wi-Fi access pointto provide an example. The remote monitoring and control infrastructure210 and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 can thensecurely, through authentication and/or authorization to provide someexamples, access the central monitoring and control infrastructure 208via a secure connection, such as a secure interface through a webbrowser to provide an example, through the access point. In thissituation, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210 and/orthe local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 sends requests viathe secure connection to the central monitoring and controlinfrastructure 208 to indirectly manage the microwave backhaul nodes204.1 through 204.m.

In another alternate, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure210 and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 candirectly manage some of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.mand indirectly manage other microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.mby sending requests via the other communication network backhands and/oraccess infrastructure 206 and the microwave backhaul 202, respectively,to the central monitoring and control infrastructure 208. For example,the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 can directly managea first group of one or more of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1through 204.m while monitoring and/or managing of a second group of oneor more of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m requiresindirect monitoring and/or managing.

Additionally, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 210and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212 can directlymanage some functionality of the backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m andindirectly manage others functionality of the backhaul nodes 204.1through 204.m by sending requests via the other communication networkbackhauls and/or access infrastructure 206 and the microwave backhaul202, respectively, to the central monitoring and control infrastructure208. For example, the local monitoring and control infrastructure 212can directly adjust some configurations, such as directionality of theirPAFs to provide an example, of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1through 204.m while adjustment of other configurations such as QoS toprovide an example requires indirect adjustment by sending a request toadjust via the microwave backhaul 202 to the central monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 208.

Exemplary Backhaul Nodes that can be used in the Backhaul Pathway

Various exemplary configurations and arrangements of various backhaulnodes, such as one or more of the backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m,are to be described in detail below. However these exemplaryconfigurations and arrangements are not limiting, those skilled in therelevant art(s) will recognize that other configurations andarrangements of the various backhaul nodes are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Forexample, particular features, structures, or characteristics of onebackhaul node can be combined with particular features, structures, orcharacteristics of one or more other backhaul nodes to form otherconfigurations and arrangements for the various backhaul nodes.

FIG. 3 illustrates various exemplary block diagrams of various microwavebackhaul nodes than can be used in the microwave backhaul according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. A first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302, a second exemplary microwave backhaul node304, and a third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 can beimplemented using any of the recent advancements in microwave backhaulnodes as described above and/or using any conventional technologiespresent in conventional backhand nodes, such as any of the conventionalbackhaul nodes 108.1 through 108.i to provide an example. The firstexemplary microwave backhaul node 302, the second exemplary Microwavebackhaul node 304, and/or the third exemplary microwave backhaul node306 can represent an exemplary embodiment of any of the backhaul nodes204.1 through 204.m.

The first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 includes a motorized PAF308, a motorized antenna 310, an all ODU 312, and a split ODU 314mounted onto a tower 316. The tower 316 can be mounted on very large,stable ground-based masts, rooftops, and other existing structures, atvast distances apart at a height that provides a clear view over thesurrounding buildings and terrain. The motorized PAF 308 provideswireless communications between the first exemplary microwave backhaulnode 302 and the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 and/or thethird exemplary microwave backhaul node 306. The motorized PAF 308 caninclude a PAF or a PAF coupled to an electromechanical device, such asan electric motor to provide an example. Likewise, the motorized antenna310 provides wireless communications between other the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 and one or more other microwave backhaulnodes. The motorized antenna 310 can include any conventional antenna,also referred to as a legacy antenna, for wireless microwavetransmission or any conventional antenna coupled to anotherelectromechanical device, such as an electric motor to provide anexample. The PAF and/or the conventional antenna are coarsely aimed attheir respective microwave backhauls. Thereafter, the coarse aiming ofthe PAF and/or the conventional antenna can be finely adjusted by theelectromechanical device.

The all ODU 312 and the split ODU 314 and split IDU 318 providecommunications between the motorized PAF 308 and the motorized antenna310 and various mobile communications devices such as the near endmobile communications devices 104 and/or the far end mobilecommunications devices 106 to provide some examples. For example, theall ODU 312 can communicate with the motorized PAF 308 while the splitODU 314 and split IDU 318 can communicate with the motorized antenna310. As another example, the all ODU 312 can communicate with themotorized antenna 310 while the split ODU 314 and split IDU 318 cancommunicate with the motorized PAF 308.

The all ODU 312 provides functionality typical of a conventional ODU anda conventional IDU as well as a communications bridge to processcommunications from the access point 324 for routing by the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304. This functionality of theconventional ODU and the conventional IDU can also be split between thesplit ODU 314 and the split IDU 318 which can also include acommunications bridge. Additionally, the all ODU 312 and/or the splitODU 314 configure or partition the motorized PAF 308 to communicate withthe second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 over a first microwavepathway and to communicate with the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 over a second microwave pathway. For example, a first portionof the motorized PAF 308 can be partitioned, in time and/or frequency,to communicate with the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 anda second portion of the motorized PAF 308 can be partitioned, in timeand/or frequency, to communicate with the third exemplary microwavebackhaul node 306.

The second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 includes a motorizedPAF 320, a motorized PAF 322, an access point 324, and an all ODU 326mounted onto a pole 328. The pole 328 represents a flimsy, less stablelocation, such as light poles, traffic signs, or telephone poles toprovide some examples, when compared to the tower 316. The motorized PAF320 and the motorized PAF 322 provides wireless communications betweenthe second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 and the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306, respectively. The motorized PAF 320 and the motorized PAF 322operate in a substantially similar manner as the motorized PAF 308.

The access point 324 provides communications between various mobilecommunications devices, such as the near end mobile communicationsdevices 104 and/or the far end mobile communications devices 106 toprovide some examples, within a macrocell, a microcell, a picocell,and/or a femtocell that can operating in accordance with any suitablewireless communication protocols, such as WiMAX, LTE, fourth generation(4G) mobile communications standards, third generation (3G) mobilecommunications standards, and/or Wi-Fi to provide some examples.

The all ODU 326 provides functionality typical of a conventional ODU anda conventional IDU as well as a communications bridge to processcommunications from the access point 324 for routing by the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304. Additionally, the all ODU 326 caninclude one or more sensors to measure environmental conditions, such ashumidity, precipitation, temperature or any other environmentalcondition, and/or location information, such as orientation, compasscoordinates such as longitude and/or latitude, azimuth, altitude, pitch,roll, yaw, and/or any other location information to provide someexamples, of the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 or aportion thereof such as the pole 328 to provide an example.

The third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 includes a motorized PAF330, a motorized PAF 332, and an all ODU 334 mounted onto a mast 336.The mast 328 represents a flimsy structure that is mounted to a stablelocation, such a side of a short building to provide an example. Themotorized PAF 330 and the motorized PAF 332 provides wirelesscommunications between the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306and the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 and one or moreother microwave backhaul nodes. The motorized PAF 320 and the motorizedPAF 322 operate in a substantially similar manner as the motorized PAF308. The all ODU 334 provides communications between the motorized PAF330 and the motorized PAF 332 and various mobile communications devicessuch as the near end mobile communications devices 104 and/or the farend mobile communications devices 106 to provide some examples in asubstantially similar manner as the all ODU 312. Additionally, the allODD 334 configures or partitions the motorized PAF 330 to communicatewith the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 over a thirdmicrowvave pathway and to communicate with the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 over the second microwave pathway.

Management of Exemplary Backhaul Nodes

The first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302, the second exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 304, and/or the third exemplary microwavebackhaul node 306 can be automatically monitored and/or managed and/ormonitored and/or managed by a remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 338 and/or a local monitoring and control infrastructure340. The remote monitoring and control infrastructure 338 can representan exemplary embodiment of the central monitoring and controlinfrastructure 208 and/or the remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 210 and the local monitoring and control infrastructure340 can represent an exemplary embodiment of the local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 212.

In some situations, microwave backhaul nodes within a geographical areacan be inadequate to meet network demands. For example, power usagebetween these microwave backhaul nodes can be relatively high and/orthroughput between these microwave backhaul nodes can be relatively low.As another example, these microwave backhaul nodes can be inadequate toservice a vast number of mobile communications devices that arerequesting access. In these situations, additional microwave backhaulnodes can be installed within the geographical area to adequately meetnetwork demands. The description below describes installing the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304 within a geographical area that ispresently serviced by the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302and the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 to meet networkdemands. However, this is not limiting, those skilled in the relevantart(s) will recognize that other microwave backhaul nodes can beinstalled into any geographical area in a substantially similar mannerwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Prior to installing the motorized PAF 320, the motorized PAF 322, theaccess point 324, and the all ODU 326 onto the pole 328 of the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304, the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 coarsely aims the motorized PAF 308 towards themotorized PAF 330 of the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306.The first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 can use Global PositionSystem (GPS) information from the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 as well as its own GPS information along with the locationinformation and wide beam to narrow beam target processing to coarselyaim the motorized PAF 308. Afterwards, the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 communicates with the third exemplary microwavebackhaul node 306.

As discussed above, environmental factors, such as wind to provide anexample, can cause movement, such as jitter or vibration, of the tower316 and/or the mast 336. This movement of the tower 316 and/or the mast336 can be quantified, typically in terms of the environmentalconditions and/or the location information by the all ODU 334. Thequantification of the movements allows the motorized PAF 308 and/or themotorized PAF 330 to be adjusted using their respectiveelectromechanical devices to substantially compensate for the movementof the tower 316 and/or the mast 336. The first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 and the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306can automatically adjust the motorized PAF 308 and the motorized PAF330, respectively, or, alternatively, adjust the motorized PAF 308 andthe motorized PAF 330 in response to communications from the remotemonitoring and control infrastructure 338 and/or the local monitoringand control infrastructure 340.

The first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 can be characterized as being separated by along distance apart within the geographical area. This long distancecauses the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 and the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306 to communicate with relative highpower levels and/or with relatively low throughput. To increasethroughput, to allow for another local downstream bridging path, toincrease tolerance to the environmental factors, and/or to provideaddition redundancy, the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304can be installed within the geographical area.

During the installation, the motorized PAF 320, the motorized PAF 322,the access point 324, and the all ODU 326 are mounted onto the pole 328.The motorized PAF 320 and the motorized PAF 322 are simply aimed inapproximate directions of the motorized PAF 308 and the motorized PAF330, respectively. Afterwards, the all ODU 326 can be directed toautomatically configure the motorized PAF 320 and the motorized PAF 322to find, to target, and/or to develop optimal configurations forservicing communications between the motorized PAF 320 and the motorizedPAF 308 and between the motorized PAF 322 and the motorized PAF 330,respectively. For example, a low power and/or low data ratecommunication is provided from the motorized PAF 320 and/or themotorized PAF 322, each of which are providing a wide beam, to themotorized PAF 308 and the motorized PAF 330, respectively. The powerand/or data rate of this communication is incrementally increased and/orthe beam is incrementally decreased while moving or adjusting themotorized PAF 320 and/or the motorized PAF 322 to target the motorizedPAF 308 and the motorized PAF 330, respectively. Alternatively, thefinding, the targeting, and/or the developing of the optimalconfigurations can be performed remotely from the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 338 and/or locally from the local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 340. In this alternate, the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 338 can be configured to execute hardware,software, or any combination thereof that is tailored for monitoring andcontrolling the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302, the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304, and/or the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306.

Additionally, the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 and thethird exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 can be reconfigured todetect communications from the second exemplary microwave backhaul node304. This reconfiguration can include aiming the motorized PAF 308and/or the motorized PAF 330 to communicate with the motorized PAF 320and the motorized PAF 322, respectively. This reconfiguration can alsoinclude reconfiguring the all ODU 312, the split ODU 314, and/or the allODU 334 to recognize communications from the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 304. This reconfiguration can also include dynamicallyreconfiguring or partitioning the motorized PAF 308 and/or the motorizedPAF 330 to communicate with the motorized PAF 320 and the motorized PAF330 and to communicate with the motorized PAF 308 and the motorized PAF322, respectively.

After configuration of the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304,the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 can begin to communicate with the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304. The microwave pathways betweenthe first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 can be reallocated to include the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304. For example, communications fromthe first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 that are destined forthe third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 can be routed to thesecond exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 for routing onto the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306.

As another example, communications from the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 and/or the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306that are destined for mobile communications devices, such as the one ormore near end mobile communications devices 104 and the one or more farend mobile communications devices 106 to provide some examples, that areassociated with the access point 324 can be routed to the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304.

As a further example, some types of data and/or QoS can be routed fromthe first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 to the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 while other types of data and/or QoS can berouted from the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 to thesecond exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 for routing onto the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306.

As a yet further example, communications from the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 can be routed to the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 while communications from the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306 can be routed to the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304 for routing onto the firstexemplary microwave backhaul node 302.

As an even further example, communications from the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 can be routed to the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306 for a first instance in or first percentageof time while communications from the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 can be routed to the second exemplary microwave backhaul node304 for routing onto the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 fora second instance in or second percentage of time.

The allocation of the microwave pathways between the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302, the second exemplary microwave backhaulnode 304, and/or the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 canoccur automatically or be performed remotely from the remote monitoringand control infrastructure 338 and/or locally from the local monitoringand control infrastructure 340. In some situations, the reallocation ofthe microwave pathways can be a dynamically adjusted in response tonetwork conditions, such as available bandwidth, loading of variousmicrowave pathways, or type of data to be communicated to provide someexamples. For example, communications between the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 can be reallocated to the second exemplary microwave backhaulnode 304 when the microwave pathway between the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 and the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 can no longer network demands. This can occur, for example,when the microwave pathway between the first exemplary microwavebackhaul node 302 and the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306 isoverloaded.

It is possible that the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304 canbecome impaired as a result the environmental factors to provide anexample. In this situation, communications from the first exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 302 to the second exemplary microwave backhaulnode 304 that are destined for the third exemplary microwave backhaulnode 306 can bypass the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 204 andbe routed directly to the third exemplary microwave backhaul node 306.Additionally, it is also possible that one of the motorized PAFs, suchas the motorized PAF 322 to provide an example, of the second exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 304 can become impaired. In this situation,communications from the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302 thatarc destined for this impaired motorized PAF can be routed to the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306 for routing onto another motorizedPAF, such as the motorized PAF 322 to provide an example, of the secondexemplary microwave backhaul node 304. This re-routing can occurautomatically or be performed remotely from the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 338 and/or locally from the local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 340.

Exemplary Remote Monitoring and Control Infrastructure for ManagingMicrowave Backhaul Nodes

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure for managing microwave backhaul nodes accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A remotemonitoring and control infrastructure 400 can directly manage microwavebackhaul nodes, such as one or more of the microwave backhaul nodes204.1 through 204.m, the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302,the second exemplary microwave backhaul node 304, and/or the thirdexemplary microwave backhaul node 306 to provide some examples, orindirectly manage the microwave backhaul nodes by sending requests to acentral monitoring and control infrastructure, such as the Centralmonitoring and control infrastructure 208 to provide an example. Theremote monitoring and control infrastructure 400 includes a processingmodule, a user interface 404, and a communication interface 406. Theremote monitoring and control infrastructure 400 can represent auexemplary embodiment of the remote monitoring and control infrastructure210 and/or the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 338.

The processing module 402 controls overall configuration and operationof the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 400. The processingmodule 402 can be configured to execute monitoring, management, andcontrol service 40$ to manage the microwave backhaul nodes. In a directmanagement mode of operation, the processing module 402 and/or themonitoring, management, and control service 408 can directly,automatically configure routing of communications throughout themicrowave backhaul nodes to meet network demands. For example, theprocessing module 402 can dynamically configure the microwave backhaulnodes to selectively route their communications among various microwavepathways. As another example, the processing module 402 can dynamicallyconfigure status information of the various microwave pathways, such asloading of the various microwave pathways, type of data to hecommunicated by the various microwave. pathways, QoS of the variousmicrowave pathways, power levels for the various microwave pathways,data rates for the various microwave pathways to provide some examples.As a further example, the processing module 402 can dynamically controlthe location information for the microwave backhaul nodes and/orconfiguration of various radios and/or interfaces within the microwavebackhaul nodes, and/or partitioning of the various antennas to supportthe various microwave pathways. This dynamical control can includeadjustment and/or control of orientation, compass coordinates such aslongitude and/or latitude, azimuth, altitude, pitch, roll, yaw, and/orany other location information of the microwave backhaul nodes.

Additionally, the processing module 402 and/or the monitoring,management, and control service 408 can directly monitor communicationsthroughout the microwave backhaul nodes and/or the microwave backhaulnodes themselves. For example, the processing module 402 can monitor themicrowave backhaul nodes for impairments and dynamically configure themicrowave backhaul nodes to selectively route their communications tocircumvent any impairments once detected. Alternatively, the processingmodule 402 can dynamically adjust the control various operationalparameters of the microwave backhaul nodes to correct for any impairmentonce detected. As another example, the processing module 402 can monitorthe parameters of the various microwave pathways to ensure that networkdemands are met and dynamically cause the microwave backhaul nodes toadjust their respective microwave pathways when network demands are notmet. As a further example, the processing module 402 can monitor theoperational parameters of the microwave backhaul nodes.

Alternative to directly configuring, the processing module 402 and/orthe monitoring, management, and control service 408 can indirectlymanage the microwave backhaul nodes by sending requests to the centralmonitoring and control infrastructure in an indirect management mode ofoperation. Typically, in this alternate, the processing module 402 cansecurely, through authentication and/or authorization to provide someexamples, access the central monitoring and control infrastructure via asecure connection, such as a secure interface through a web browser toprovide an example, through the access point. In this situation, theprocessing module 402 sends requests via the secure connection to thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure to indirectly manage themicrowave backhaul nodes in a substantially similar manner as with thedirect management mode of operation.

The user interface 406 provides a user interface for an operator of theremote monitoring and control infrastructure 400 to interface with thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure, the microwave backhaulnodes, and/or the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 400itself. The operator of the remote monitoring and control infrastructure400 can directly or indirectly configure routing of communicationsthroughout the microwave backhaul nodes to meet network demands bysending requests to the processing module 402, the central monitoringand control infrastructure, and/or the microwave backhaul nodes usingthe user interface 406. Additionally, the operator of the remotemonitoring and control infrastructure 400 can directly monitorcommunications throughout the microwave backhaul nodes and/or themicrowave backhaul nodes themselves using the user interface 406.

The communication interface 406 provides communications between theremote monitoring and control infrastructure 400 and the centralmonitoring and control infrastructure and/or the microwave backhaulnodes via various wired and/or wireless communication pathways.

Exemplary Local Monitoring and Control Infrastructure for ManagingMicrowave Backhaul Nodes

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure for managing microwave backhaul nodes accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A local monitoringand control infrastructure 500 can manage microwave backhaul nodes, suchas one or more of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1 through 204.m, thefirst exemplary microwave backhaul node 302, the second exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 304, and/or the third exemplary microwavebackhaul node 306 to provide some examples. The local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 500 also includes various functionality forinstallation and/or configuration of additional microwave backhaul nodesinto a microwave backhaul, such as the microwave backhaul 202 to providean example. The remote monitoring and control infrastructure 502includes a processing module 502, a user interface 504, a wiredinterface 506, elevation, orientation, stability sensors 508, a backhaulradio 510, and an access point 512. The remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 500 can represent an exemplary embodiment of the localmonitoring and control infrastructure 212 and/or the local monitoringand control infrastructure 340.

The processing module 502 controls overall configuration and operationof the local monitoring and control infrastructure 500. The processingmodule 502 can be configured to execute monitoring, management, andcontrol service 514 to manage the microwave backhaul nodes in asubstantially similar manner as the processing module 402 executes themonitoring, management, and control service 408. Additionally, theprocessing module 502 can be configured to execute installation andmaintenance service 516 for installation and/or configuration ofadditional microwave backhaul nodes into the microwave backhaul. Theinstallation and maintenance service 516 can provide installationprocedures and routines for the installation of additional microwavebackhaul nodes as well as testing procedures and routines for testingthese newly installed microwave backhaul nodes. Additionally, theinstallation and maintenance service 516 can provide variousconfiguration parameters automatically and/or in response to commands toconfigure these newly installed microwave backhaul nodes for operation.

The user interface 504 provides a user interface for an operator of thelocal monitoring and control infrastructure 500 to interface with thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure, the microwave backhaulnodes, and/or the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 500itself in a substantially similar manner as the user interface 406.Additionally, the operator of the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 500 can install and/or configure additional microwavebackhaul nodes into the microwave backhaul using the user interface 504.

The wired interface 506 represents a wired communications pathwaybetween the remote monitoring and control infrastructure 500 and themicrowave backhaul nodes, typically a newly added microwave backhaulnode. The wired interface 506 can be used for communications betweenthis newly added microwave backhaul and the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 500. For example, the wired interface 506 can provideconfiguration information to this newly added microwave backhaul nodeusing the wired communications pathway.

The elevation, orientation, and stability sensors 508 measure elevation,orientation, and stability information of the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 500. This information can be used to aim variousantennas of the microwave backhaul nodes.

The backhaul radio 510 provides wireless communications between theremote monitoring and control infrastructure 500 and the microwavebackhaul nodes. The backhaul radio 510 can optionally include a PAF forthese communications.

The access point 512 provides wireless communications between the remotemonitoring and control infrastructure 500 and other communicationsdevices, such as the one or more near end mobile communications devices104, the one or more far end mobile communications devices 106, and/orone or more microwave backhauls to provide some examples. The accesspoint 512 can also receive OPS information relating to a location of theremote monitoring and, control infrastructure 500 to be used to aim thevarious antennas of the microwave backhaul nodes. The access point 512can provide access between the remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 500 and other communications devices that can beoperating in accordance with any suitable wireless communicationprotocol, such as WiMAX, LTE, 4G mobile communications standards, 3Gmobile communications standards, and/or Wi-Fi to provide some examples.

Exemplary Microwave Backhaul Node

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary block diagram of a microwavebackhaul node that can he used in the microwave backhaul according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A microwave backhaulnode 600 can be one of many microwave backhaul nodes within a microwavebackhaul, such as the microwave backhaul 202 to provide an example,which allows for communication of information, such as audio, video, ordata to provide some examples, between mobile communications devices,such as the one or more near end mobile communications devices 104 andthe one or more far end mobile communications devices 106 to providesome examples. The microwave backhaul node 600 can be directly managedby a central monitoring and control infrastructure, such as the centralmonitoring and control infrastructure 208 to provide an example, aremote monitoring and control infrastructure, such as the remotemonitoring and control infrastructure 210, the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure 338, and/or the remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure 400 to provide some examples, and/or a local monitoringand control infrastructure, such as the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure 212, the local monitoring and control infrastructure 340,and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure 500 to providesome examples.

Additionally, the microwave backhaul node 600 can be indirectly managedby the remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/or the localmonitoring and control infrastructure using the central monitoring andcontrol infrastructure. The microwave backhaul node 600 includes aprocessing module 602, a user interface 604, elevation, orientation,stability, humidity, temperature, precipitation, imager sensors 606,control for mounting motors 608, a switching controller 610, backhaulradios 612.1 through 612.N, a switch fabric 614, a wired interface 616,and an access point 618. The microwave backhaul node 600 can representan exemplary embodiment of any of the microwave backhaul nodes 204.1through 204.m, the first exemplary microwave backhaul node 302, thesecond exemplary microwave backhaul node 304, and/or the third exemplarymicrowave backhaul node 306.

The processing module 602 controls overall configuration and operationof the microwave backhaul node 600. The processing module 602 can beconfigured to execute automatic/automated installation service 620 toconfigure operation of the microwave backhaul node 600. Theautomatic/automated installation service 620 can be automaticallyexecuted and/or executed under the control of the local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure after installation of the microwave backhaul node600.

The automatic/automated installation service 620 can operate inconjunction other software, hardware, and/of firmware modules to assistan installer of the microwave backhaul node 600 to aim various PAFs totheir respective microwave backhaul nodes. Typically, theautomatic/automated installation service 620 assists in a process ofaiming at least a first portion of a first phased array feeder (PAF) ofa first backhaul node toward a second portion of a second PAF of asecond backhaul node. For example, the automatic/automated installationservice 620 can execute various testing procedures and routines fortesting the microwave backhaul node 600 from the local and remotetesting service 626 to determine various parameters of various microwavepathways, such as loading of the various microwave pathways, type ofdata to be communicated by the various microwave pathways, QoS of thevarious microwave pathways, power levels for the various microwavepathways, data rates for the various microwave pathways to provide someexamples, from the local and remote testing code. As another example,the automatic/automated installation service 620 can provideenvironmental conditions, such as humidity, precipitation, temperatureor any other environmental condition, and/or location information, suchas GPS) information, orientation, compass coordinates such as longitudeand/or latitude, azimuth, altitude, pitch, roll, yaw, and/or any otherlocation information from the control support/application programminginterface (API) program service 622 to the installer of the microwavebackhaul node 600. Additionally, the automatic/automated installationservice 620 can download and/or execute software and/or firmware updatesfrom the central monitoring and control infrastructure, the remotemonitoring and control infrastructure and/or the local monitoring andcontrol infrastructure for various modules of the microwave backhaulnode 600.

Additionally, the processing module 602 can be configured to executecontrol support/application programming interface (API) program service622. The control support/application programming interface (API) programservice 622 operates as an interface between the automatic/automatedinstallation service 620 and the elevation, orientation, stability,humidity, temperature, precipitation, imager sensors 606 and/or betweenthe automatic/automated installation service 620 and the access point618. For example, the control support/application programming interface(API) program service 622 manages the elevation, orientation, stability,humidity, temperature, precipitation, imager sensors 606 to provide theenvironmental conditions and/or the location information. The controlsupport/application programming interface (API) program service 622 canrequest the environmental conditions and/or the location informationfrom the elevation, orientation, stability, humidity, temperature,precipitation, imager sensors 606 at periodic intervals and/or can pollthe elevation, orientation, stability, humidity, temperature,precipitation, imager sensors 606 for the environmental conditionsand/or the location information.

In some situations, the central monitoring and control infrastructure,the remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/or the localmonitoring and control infrastructure can remotely provide theenvironmental conditions and/or the location information via the accesspoint 618. In these situations, the control support/applicationprogramming interface (API) program service 622 manages the access point618 to provide the environmental conditions and/or the locationinformation, such as GPS information to provide an example. The controlsupport/application programming interface (API) program service 622 canrequest the environmental conditions and/or the location informationfrom the access point 618 at periodic intervals and/or can poll theaccess point 618 for the environmental conditions and/or the locationinformation.

Further, the processing module 602 can be configured to executeoperational program service 624. The operational program service 624 canautomatically manage overall configuration and operation of themicrowave backhaul node 600. For example, the operational programservice 624 manages parameters of the various microwave pathways, suchas loading of the various microwave pathways, type of data to becommunicated by the various microwave pathways, QoS of the variousmicrowave pathways, power levels for the various microwave pathways,data rates for the various microwave pathways to provide some examples.As another example, the operational program service 624 managesallocation of the various microwave pathways between the microwavebackhaul node 600 and other microwave backhaul nodes of a communicationsnetwork, such as the communications network 200 to provide an example.As a further example, the operational program service 624.Alternatively, the operational program service 624 can provideconfiguration and operation to the central monitoring and controlinfrastructure, the remote monitoring and control infrastructure and/orthe local monitoring and control infrastructure to be used forconfiguration and operation of the microwave backhaul node 600.

Yet further, the processing module 602 can be configured to executelocal and remote testing service 626. The local and remote testingservice 626 includes installation procedures and routines for theinstallation of the microwave backhaul node 600 as well as testingprocedures and routines for testing the microwave backhaul node 600. Forexample, a low power and/or low data rate communication can be providedby backhaul radios 612.1 through 612.N via their respective PAFs, eachof which are providing a wide beam. The local and remote testing service626 causes an incremental increase in the power and/or data rate of thisand/or an incremental decrease in the beam while causing the control formounting motors 608 to move or adjust the PAFs, to target othermicrowave backhaul nodes. Typically, the installation procedures androutines and/or the testing procedures and routines are provided by thecentral monitoring and control infrastructure, the remote monitoring andcontrol infrastructure and/or the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure.

The user interface 604 provides a user interface for an operator of themicrowave backhaul node 600 to interface with the central monitoring andcontrol infrastructure, the microwave backhaul nodes, and/or themicrowave backhaul node 600 itself in a substantially similar manner asthe user interface 406.

The elevation, orientation, stability, humidity, temperature,precipitation, imager sensors 606 include one or more sensors to providethe environmental conditions and/or the location information. In somesituations, the elevation, orientation, stability, humidity,temperature, precipitation, imager sensors 606 can include an imagingdevice to provide various images of the microwave backhaul node 600.These various images can be used by the viewed by the central monitoringand control infrastructure, the remote monitoring and controlinfrastructure and/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure toassist in detection of impairments that can be present within themicrowave backhaul node 600.

The control for mounting motors 608 can adjust directions such asorientation, azimuth, altitude, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of the PAFs.

The switching controller 610 can configure and arrange various switchesof the switch fabric 614 to route communications between the backhaulradios 612.1 through 612.N and/or between the backhaul radios 612.1through 612.N the access point 618. For example, the switchingcontroller 610 can configure and arrange the switch fabric 614 to routecommunications received from a first microwave backhaul node via a firstbackhaul radio 612.1 onto a second backhaul radio 612.2 for transmissiononto to a second microwave backhaul node. As another example, theswitching controller 610 can configure and arrange the switch fabric 614to route communications received from a first microwave backhaul nodevia a first backhaul radio 612.1 onto the access point 618 fortransmission onto one or more mobiles communications devices, such asthe one or more near end mobile communications devices 104 and the oneor more far end mobile communications devices 106 to provide someexamples.

The backhaul radios 612.1 through 612.N include various microwavetransceivers to communicate with other microwave backhaul nodes via thePAF #1 through PAF #N. The backhaul radios 612.1 through 612.N can bedirectly configured by the processing module 602 and/or indirectly bythe central monitoring and control infrastructure, the remote monitoringand control infrastructure and/or the local monitoring and controlinfrastructure. This configuration can include activation/deactivation,types and QoS of communication flow to be supported, transmit powerlevel, and/or data rates. The backhaul radios 612.1 through 612.N canadditional control partitioning of their PAF #1 through PAF #N tosupport the various microwave pathways.

The wired interface 616 represents a wired communications pathwaybetween the microwave backhaul node 600 and the central monitoring andcontrol infrastructure, the remote monitoring and control infrastructureand/or the local monitoring and control infrastructure.

The access point 618 provides wireless communications between themicrowave backhaul node 600 in a substantially similar manner as theaccess point 512.

CONCLUSION

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims.The Abstract section can set forth one or more, but not all exemplaryembodiments, of the disclosure, and thus, are not intended to limit thedisclosure and the appended claims in any way.

The disclosure has been described above with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) that variouschanges in form and detail can be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus the disclosure should notbe limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is: 1-20. (canceled)
 21. A system, comprising: a firstbackhaul node configured to receive location information and statusinformation for a second backhaul node, wherein the first backhaul nodeis configured to: direct an antenna array toward the second backhaulnode in response to a movement of the first backhaul node as a result ofan environmental factor, and redirect the antenna array toward a thirdbackhaul node if the second backhaul node becomes impaired as a resultof an environmental factor.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein thefirst backhaul node is configured to selectively route communicationsamong backhaul nodes.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the firstbackhaul node is configured to dynamically manage a plurality ofmicrowave pathways among backhaul nodes based upon the statusinformation.
 24. The system of claim 21, wherein the first backhaul nodeis configured to dynamically manage a plurality of microwave pathwaysamong backhaul nodes based upon impairment information.
 25. The systemof claim 21, wherein the status information comprises: loading of theplurality of backhaul nodes; type of data to be communicated by theplurality of backhaul nodes; Quality of Service (QoS) of the pluralityof backhaul nodes; power levels for the plurality of backhaul nodes; ordata rates for the plurality of backhaul nodes.
 26. The system of claim21, wherein the location information comprises: orientation of theplurality of backhaul nodes; compass coordinates of the plurality ofbackhaul nodes; azimuth of the plurality of backhaul nodes; altitude ofthe plurality of backhaul nodes; pitch of the plurality of backhaulnodes; roll of the plurality of backhaul nodes; or yaw of the pluralityof backhaul nodes.
 27. The system of claim 21, wherein the firstbackhaul node comprises a sensor configured to determine locationinformation and status information for the first backhaul node.
 28. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein wind causes the movement of the firstbackhaul node.
 29. The system of claim 21, wherein wind causes themovement of a pole to which the antenna array is attached.
 30. Thesystem of claim 1, the location information and the status informationare accessible from a control infrastructure location.
 31. A method,comprising: receiving, at a first backhaul node, location informationand status information for a second backhaul node; direct an antennaarray, of the first backhaul node, toward the second backhaul node inresponse to a movement of the first backhaul node as a result of anenvironmental factor; and redirect the antenna array, of the firstbackhaul node, toward a third backhaul node if the second backhaul nodebecomes impaired as a result of an environmental factor.
 32. The methodof claim 31, wherein the method comprises selectively routingcommunications among the first, second and third backhaul nodes.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the method comprises dynamically managing aplurality of microwave pathways among backhaul nodes based upon thestatus information.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein the methodcomprises dynamically managing a plurality of microwave pathways amongbackhaul nodes based upon impairment information.
 35. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the status information comprises: loading of theplurality of backhaul nodes; type of data to be communicated by theplurality of backhaul nodes; Quality of Service (QoS) of the pluralityof backhaul nodes; power levels for the plurality of backhaul nodes; ordata rates for the plurality of backhaul nodes.
 36. The method of claim31, wherein the location information comprises: orientation of theplurality of backhaul nodes; compass coordinates of the plurality ofbackhaul nodes; azimuth of the plurality of backhaul nodes; altitude ofthe plurality of backhaul nodes; pitch of the plurality of backhaulnodes; roll of the plurality of backhaul nodes; or yaw of the pluralityof backhaul nodes.
 37. The method of claim 31, wherein the methodcomprises using a sensor to determine location information and statusinformation for the first backhaul node.
 38. The method of claim 31,wherein wind causes the movement of the first backhaul node.
 39. Themethod of claim 31, wherein wind causes the movement of a pole to whichthe antenna array is attached.
 40. The method of claim 31, the locationinformation and the status information are accessible from a controlinfrastructure location.